News

Migrants find jobs in benefits hotspots

MORE than 70,000 migrant workers found jobs in and around Britain's unemployment blackspots last year, leading to claims that the government is failing to get long-term benefits claimants back into work.

In Rochdale, Greater Manchester, where the unemployment rate in some parts is as high as 76%, 1,380 migrants found work, according to Conservative party analysis of official figures. In Enfield, north London, which contains an area where 59% of residents are claiming jobseeker's allowance, a further 500 foreign nationals gained employment.

About 270 migrants obtained jobs last year in Caerphilly, south Wales - even though it contains an area in which more than half (53%) of residents are unemployed.

"These figures blow apart the myth that unemployment is only high where there are no jobs," said Chris Grayling, the shadow work and pensions secretary. "Dynamic people are coming here from overseas and finding jobs, so it shows there is work.